Manufacture of thread or the like



MANUFACTURE OF THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I'NVENTOR LAVE RN J. JORDAN 86 A TTORNE Y Dec. 24, 1940.

L. J. JORDAN 2,225,637

MANUFACTURE OF THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1956 4,Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LAVERN J. JORDAN WWW A TTORNE Y Dec. 24, 1940. L. J. JORDAN MANUFACTURE OF PH READ OR THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet, 3

| l J I I 0 l I If llll vllnl lllll II PIIIIII IIIII lllll I l R m m N LAVERN J.JORDAN 24, 1940- y L. JIJO RDAN 2,225,637

MANUFACTURE OF THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 28, @936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VIII/Ill INVENTOR LAVERN J. JORDAN WXMW W ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES MANUFACTURE OF THREAD OR THE LIKE Lavern I. Jordan, Fairview Village, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, pleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 28, 1936, Serial No. 71,468 11 Claims. (CL 18-8) This invention relates to the manufacture of thread or the like.

More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus of the type shown, described and claimed a in prior application Serial No. 7,114, flied February 18, 1935, by Walter F. Knebusch and Alden H. Burkholder. The apparatus of said application embodies a plurality of laterally conjugated series of vertically spaced thread-storage, threadl advancing devices disposed in stepped arrangement in processing sequence with the thread discharge end of each thread-storage, thread-advancing device except the last disposed adjacent the thread-receiving end of the succeeding thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

thread or the like is formed by extrusion of a suitable mass from a series of spinningnozzles into a common coagulating bath contained in a trough extending along the top of the apparatus, each thread or the like so formed being withdrawn from the coagulating bath and passed downward to one of the above-mentioned series of thread-storage, thread-advancing devices. while the particular arrangement of the bath trough and associated apparatus shown and described in said application is well adapted to the requirements of the device as a whole, the improvements of the present invention offer advantages in respect of construction, accessibility, maintenance, protection from fumes and convenience for the operator, as well as other advantages.

The improvements of the present invention will be described in connection with apparatus for the continuous manufacture of viscose artificial silk thread, but will be understood to be of general application.

The invention is illustrated: in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a sectional elevation through the improved apparatus. Figure 2 is an elevation, from line 22 of Figure 1, showing the working face of the trough and associated apparatus. Figure 3 is an elevation of the apparatus from line 3-3 of Figure l. Figure 4 is a sectional plan taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is an end elevation of one form of thread-storage, threadadvancing device which may be used in the practice of the invention. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section along line 0-6 of Figure 5 of the same thread-storage, thread-advancing device. Figure 7 is an elevation along line 1-1 of Figure 2 of the mechanism for actuating the upper threadstorage, thread-advancing device and associated apparatus. Figure 8 is a perspective of one of The the covers for the channels through which the thread passes.

As in said prior application, the apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of laterally conjugated series ofvertically spaced I 5 thread-storage. thread-advancing devices disposed in processing sequence, preferably, but not necessarily, in stepped arrangement. Associated therewith along the top of the apparatus is a longitudinal trough 4 containing a coagulating bath. 10 Each thread I formed by extrusion of viscose from a spinning nozzle 2 disposed in the coagulating bath 3 is withdrawn directly upward from the bath by a suitable thread-storagefthreaidadvancing device 5. The thread-storage, thread- 15 advancing device I is preferably of the cantilever type, i. e., supported and driven from one end only, and is adapted to advance the thread from the supported end thereof to the free end thereof in a plurality of helical or 20 generally helical turns. The thread-storage. thread-advancing device may be of any desired kind, but is conveniently of the preferred form hereinafter described.

The thread-storage, thread-advancing device 25 I may be so positioned above the trough that its thread-receiving end; i. e., the supported end of the cantilever thread-storage, thread-advancing device shown, is disposed generally above the spinning nozzle 2. Its discharge'end; i. e., the so unsupported end of the cantilever thread-storage, thread-advancing device shown, may be disposed in opposite relation to an. opening 1 in the working, deck 6 extending along coagulating trough 4. That is, the thread-storage, thread-advancing :5 device may be disposed with its unsupported end extending toward the working face of the trough l; i. e., the face from which the operator has access to the trough. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the thread-storage, thread-advancing device 40 5 is preferably so positioned that its thread-receiving end is directly above the spinning nozzle 2 and its thread-discharge end is directly above the opening I. If desired, the opening I may comprise the entrance to a stationary channel 8, 45 through which the thread maypass for a considerable distance.

In the apparatus illustrated, the channel 8 is vertically disposed, providing a passage through which the thread I, after leaving the threadso storage, thread-advancing device I, passes to the first thread-storage, thread-advancing device 8 of a series of like vertically spaced thread-storage, thread-advancing devices on which the thread is subjected to various processing treat- 55 ments. Five such devices bearing reference numurals 9 to l 3, inclusive, are shown. It has been found desirable to position the openings 1 in the working deck 8 and their associated channels 9 s so that they lie between the coagulating trough 4 and a waste trough I4 formed in the working deck 6 in juxtaposition to the coagulating trough 4. The channel 9 thus provides a clear, unobstructed passageway which "protects the thread 10 from contact'with parts of the apparatus which might otherwise intercept it. The presence of channel '9 is particularly advantageous in starting the threadthrough the apparatus: the thread, after having been led upward from the spinning 15 nozzle 2, through guide 15 and onto thread-storage, thread-advancing device 5, may without interference be dropped from the discharge end of thread-storage, thread-advancing device 5 onto.

therecelving end of the thread-storage, thread- 20 advancing device 19 immediately below it.

If desired, a .slotted closure 19 similar to that shown in perspective in Figure 8 may be provided forithe purpose of closing'the opening 1 at the entrance of channel'l. The use of such a closure 5 prevents liquid carried by the thread from the 5 threador the like I has been started through channel 8. Itis preferably provided with flanges i9 to hold it in place on the projecting end 2| of the-channel I- In Figure 4, the covers l6 are represented as having'been removed from the twi' channels 9 at the left.

- e thread-storage, thread-advancing devices may conveniently take the form of reels of the form illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. These reels are of a type similar to a reel shown, described 45 and-claimed in British Patent No. 413,414. From Figures 5 and 6 it can be seen that each reel comprises two rigid, generally cylindrical members 22 and 23. Member 22, which may be termed the concentric member, is mounted "concentrically 50 upon and for rotation with drive shaft 24 and has its periphery comprised of a plurality of bar members '25. Member 23, which may be termed the eccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axis slightly offset from and inclined to that 5 of concentric member 22 and has its periphery comprised of a plurality of bar members 26 equal in number to the bar members 25 and alternately disposed therewith. I Concentric member 22 may be formed as shown, having the bar members 25 formed on the periphery of a hollow cylindrical body 21, in which case great rigidity is imparted to the bar members 25. While member 22 may be niounted 55 on the drive shaft 24 in various manners, in that shown it is held against a shoulder 28, formed on drive shaft 24, by cap nut 29 which is threaded on the end of the reel drive shaft 24. Member 22 is caused to rotate with drive shaft 24 by means of 7 a pin 3| through the shaft 24, the projecting ends of which pin extend into a slot 32 formed in the hub of concentric member 22. The projecting end of the drive shaft 24 and the nut 29 are thus I contained within the body 21 of member 22 and 16 are therefore protected from any liquids which may be carried by the thread or the like, or which may be applied to the thread or the like.

In the embodiment shown, the eccentric member 23 is formed of a rigid cage-like member 94 mounted concentrically upon an annular supporting member 35 as by bolts 36. Member 94 is formed of the aforesaid bar members 29 which are provided at their outer ends with an internal annular reinforcing rib 31 and at their inner ends with an external annular supporting rib 39 by means of which the cage-like member 24 is mounted on the annular supporting member 95. Annular supporting member 35 is rotatably supported in the desired offset and inclined position with respect to the axis of concentricmember 22 by being rotatably mounted on frame member 99, the shaft 24 being journalled in or otherwise supported in correct relationship with frame member 39. A bushing 41 may be provided in annular supporting member 35 to act as a bearing if desired. Flexible sealing means 42 may be furnlshed if desired to prevent corrosion of the bearing members.

Rotation of the reel drive shaft 24 causes con centric member 22 fixed thereto to rotate, where-, 20 upon contact of bar members of concentric member 22 with bar members 29 of eccentric member 23 causes said eccentric member to rotate at the same angular speed. During such rotation the offset relationship of the generally cylindrical 80 members 22 and 23 causes the thread to transfer from the bar members of one generally cylindrical member to the bar members of the other generally cylindrical members. At the same time the inclined relationship of said generally cylin- 95 drical members causes the thread to advance in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns, the direction of the inclination of the axes of the generally cylindrical members being, of course, chosen to, cause the thread to advance in the so desired direction along the reel during the desired direction of rotation of the generally cylindrical members.

In the apparatus shown, the cantilever reels 5 are supported in the desired position on the frame 45 member 44 with their axes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bath trough and with their unsupported ends extending toward the working deck 6, thus rendering them readily accessible from platform for inspection, threadso ing up, etc. Each of the reels 5 is driven from a common drive shaft 45, as by a helical gear 49 mounted thereon meshing with a helical gear 41 adapted to rotate the reel drive shaft 24. If desired, clutch mechanism may be provided to dis- 55 engage each of the reels 5 from the common drive shaft 45. That shown comprises clutch teeth 49 formed on the hub of helical gear 41, which is rotatably mounted on the reel drive shaft 24, which teeth 49 engage clutch teeth 49 formed on a clutch 00 member 5| slidably mounted on and for rotation with reel drive shaft 24. Clutch member 5| is actuated by a shifter fork 52 operating in a slot in the clutch member 5| which shifter fork 52 is operated by a lever 53 provided for each reel. Each reel 5 is mounted on a suitable housing member 54 which encloses the driving gears and 41 and the clutch members and is mounted on the aforesaid frame member 44. A drip pan 55 may be provided beneath the bearings of the reels 5 to To prevent any lubricant which may escape therefrom from dropping into the bath 3, in which drip pan may be mounted the guides I5 which guide the thread or the like as it starts on each reel. 15

Thecommon drive shaft Il may be rotated by any suitable means, but it is desirable to rotate it in timed relation to the viscose supply pumps and processing rec-.s I to II inclusive. Thus in Figure 7 the shaft II is driven through gears, generally numbered II. by means of a chain I'I driven from a gear II meshing with gear II, which gear II is caused to rotate by a chain II driven from suitable power means which may also drive the processing reels I to II. Mounted for rotation with gear II is a gear I! from which the gear II mounted on the pump drive shaft II is driven through suitable change gear mechanism indi cated generally at II. Thus the speed of the pump drive shaft It may be adjusted as desired by means of change gear mechanism II and the pump drive shaft II may be driven in timed relationship with the reels I which'take up the thread as it is formed. As in the conventional manner,

each spinning pump II, of which one is provided for each spinning nozzle 2, may be mounted on a common viscose supply conduit I1 and driven by gears II, I! from the common pump drive shaft II, the viscose being supplied to each of the spinning nozzles I through a mass tube II which communicates with each pump II. A drip pan ll may be provided below the pumps II.

If desired, the space above the bath I may be enclosed by suitable means. This may be for the maintainment of the desired conditions of temperature, humidity, etc., or for the protection and comfort of the operators in cases where gases are given off by the treating bath, as sometimes occurs in the spinning of viscose artificial silk thread. In the apparatus shown, the enclosing means comprise a hood I! furnished with a plurality of sliding closures II, II which provide access to the interior or the enclosing means. The closures II, II are shown as being supported in an inclined position, being guided at their upper ends by tracks II mounted on hood I2 and at their lower ends by tracks II mounted at the outside edge of working deck I. In such tracks operate the rotatable rollers 11 carried by the closures II, 14. When access to the interior of the enclosing means at any point isdesired, the corresponding closures II, II may be opened. as

shown in Figure 2, the closures 'l-I being pushed back of closures 14. The closures II, [4 may be furnished with glass windows to enable the apparatus-inside the enclosing means to be inspected without the necessity of opening theolosures.

Suitable means for exhausting the gases from the interior of the enclosing means may be provided, such, .for example, as the longitudinally extending duct II at the tenor hood II. Duct II communicates along its length with the space above the coagulating bath through slot II, the gases being removed from the duct II through a suitable conduit II. It has been found in the operation of'apparatus of the type illustrated that gases given oil on reels I to II by the processing operations performed thereon are drawn up through channels I into the enclosed space above the bath trough I, since a pressure somewhat lower than atmospheric pressure is maintained therein. This condition obtains even thoughon which the thread is subiected to variom processing treatments. Reel I is preferably positioned as shown with its thread-receiving end, which, in the case of. a cantilever reel may be the supported end thereof. directly below the discharge end of channel I, and. as in the embodiment shown. directly below the discharge end of the reel I disposed above the coagulating trough I. The thread-storage, thread-advancing reels I to II, inclusive, may be positioned instepped arrangement with the thread-receiving end of each reel adjacent the thread-discharge end of the preceding reel. the unsupported ends of. the reels being presented toward an operator who may lain access thereto from a ladder II. One or more of such ladders I2 adapted to slide along the face of the machine may be provided to enable the operator to reach the various processing reels I to 7 Suitable means for applying processing treatments to the thread or the like while it is stored on the reels I to II, inclusive, may be provided. For applying processingliquids, a reagent distributor II may be employed positioned above each of the reels and supplied from a conduit II which, in the apparatus shown, extends iongitudinally of the machine and serves corresponding reels in adjacent vertical series. The processing liquid applied to each of the reels is collected in a trough II which may likewise extend longitudinally of the machine and serve like reels in adjacent vertical series. Suitable means, not shown, may be provided for draining each of the troughs II and passing the liquid so drained either to sewer, in the case of liquids such as wash water which it is desired to use only once, or to a recirculating system in conjunction with the corresponding reagent supply line II. As shown, the reels I to II, inclusive, of each series may be driven through gears II, I! from an inclined drive shaft II. Drive shaft II may be driven from a suitable power source in timed relation to the common drive shaft II for the reels I.

It is obvious that the improvements of the present invention may be applied to other apparatus than that shown and that various modifications may be made in the embodiment herein illustrated without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the invention need not necessarily be employed in connection with apparatus of the form described: other forms of thread-storage, thread-advancing devices may be employed; thread-storage, threadadvancing devices may be located in various other pomtions with respect to the coagulating trough than that shown; thread-storage. thread-advancing devices provided for the subsequent continuousprocessingofthreadortheiikemaybedisposed in other arrangements than that shown,

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable exprusion in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a trough containing a coagulating bath; a spinning nozzle in-said trough: a stationary vertical channel in proximity to said trough; means for withdrawing from said coagulating bath and passing through said stationary vertical channel the thread or the like formed by said spinning nozzle; and, mounted in juxtaposition to the discharge end oi said stationary vertical channel, a rotary helix-forming device to which the thread or the like proceeds from said stationary vertical channel.

2. Apparatus as in claiml in which said helixforming device takes the form of a thread-advancing reel. I

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said helixforming device takes the form of a thread-advancing reel of cantilever form.

4. Apparatus forthe manufacture of thread or the like comprising a trough containing a coagulating bath; a spinning nozzle in said trough; a deck providing access to said trough, said deck including a waste trough; an opening in said deck on the same side thereof as said waste trough; and means for withdrawing from said coagulating bath and passing through the opening in said deck the thread or the like formed by said spinning nozzle.

5. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or I 6. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a trough containing a coagulating bath; a spinning nozzle in said trough; a channel in proximity to said trough; a threadstorage, thread-advancing device disposed above said trough, said thread-storage, thread-advancing device having its receiving zone over said spinning nozzle and its discharge zone over said channel; and. means enclosing the space above said trough, together with said thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

7. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a trough containing a co-' aguiating bath; a spinning nozzle in said trough; a deck providing access to said trough; an opening in said deck; and a thread-storage. threadadvancing device mounted above said troughwith its receiving zone over said spinning nozzle andkits discharge some over the opening in said dec 8. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or 5 the like comprising a source of thread or the like; a trough containing a treating bath; a deck providing access to said trough; an opening in said deck; and, disposed above said trough. a thread-storage, thread-advancing device of cantilever form to the supported and of which the thread or the like proceeds from said treating bath, said thread-storage, thread-advancing device having its unsupported end over the opening in said deck.

9. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a source of thread or the like: a trough containing a treating bath; a deck providing access to said trough; an opening in said deck; and, disposed above said trough, a 20 thread-storage, thread-advancing device to one end of which the thread or the like proceeds from said treating bath, said thread-storage, threadadvancing device having its other end over the opening in said deck.

10. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a source of thread or the like; a trough containing a. treating bath; a stationary vertical channel in proximity to said troughnnd, disposed above said trough, a threadstorage, thread-advancing device to one end of which the thread of the like proceeds from said treating bath, said thread-storage, thread-advancing device having its other end over said stationary vertical channel.

' 11. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising a source of thread or the like; a trough containing a treating bath; a stationary vertical channel in proximity to said trough; and,,disposed above said trough, a thread- 40 storage, thread-advancing device of cantilever form to the supported and of which the thread or the like proceeds from said treating bath, said thread-storage threadadvancing device having its unsupported end over said stationary vertical 45 channel.

LAVERN J. JORDAN. 

